Free health care fills gap for hundreds

Sunday

Jan 20, 2013 at 12:01 AM

STOCKTON - Hundreds of volunteers worked together Saturday to meet the health care needs of hundreds more who can't afford medical or dental insurance. They knew how much they were needed when a large line began to form at 5:30 a.m., 21/2 hours before gates opened at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds.

Jason Anderson

STOCKTON - Hundreds of volunteers worked together Saturday to meet the health care needs of hundreds more who can't afford medical or dental insurance. They knew how much they were needed when a large line began to form at 5:30 a.m., 21/2 hours before gates opened at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds.

Organizers said more than 800 people came to the fairgrounds seeking services at the 15th annual Neighbors in Health, a free community health fair focused on the needs of uninsured and underinsured children and adults in San Joaquin County. The event was presented by Kaiser Permanente and community partners such as the Tzu Chi Foundation and the Lions Club.

William Johnson, a 40-year-old Stockton resident, went to get his vision, blood glucose and blood pressure checked. He left with a prescription for a new pair of glasses.

"It's a beautiful thing what they're doing here," Johnson said. "I don't have insurance, so it's hard for me to go in and get health and dental. People really depend on places like this. You just don't know how much until you need them."

Over the past 15 years, an estimated 45,000 people have received free services at Neighbors in Health, Kaiser officials said. Organizers moved the event to the fairgrounds this year from the Kaiser facility on West Lane.

"Having it at this venue has really allowed us to expand our services," said Dr. Elizabeth Kass, the fair physician leader for Neighbors in Health. "We also like this venue because it's more convenient for people who really need our help the most. It's more accessible, there's more space and we are more able to have comprehensive services here."

Reina Skidmore, a 48-year-old Tracy resident, attended the event with her family, including a 4-year-old niece who received a physical, a flu shot and an eye exam.

"I think this is wonderful," Skidmore said. "It's just amazing that they give out free services for people who can't afford them because insurance is very, very expensive."

Screening stations were staffed by 400 volunteers, including 50 physicians, 150 Kaiser employees and 200 community members, all of whom took pleasure in providing health services to people who might not receive them otherwise, Kass said.

"There's a tremendous need for these services here, and we're really happy to provide them," Kass said. "This is why we all got into the medical profession. We really wanted to be able to help people, and it is particularly gratifying to be able to help those who really need it the most."